James Madison University leaves Sun Belt for American Conference

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

James Madison University's Board of Visitors voted Monday to leave the Sun Belt Conference and join the American Conference as a full member no later than July 1, 2028, ending a relationship that lasted less than five years.

JMU joined the Sun Belt Conference before the 2022 football season alongside Marshall and Southern Miss. The Dukes won the East Division in 2022 and 2023 but were initially ineligible for the Sun Belt Championship game due to NCAA rules governing transfers from the FCS to the FBS. In 2025, JMU won the Sun Belt Championship on the field and qualified for the College Football Playoff, losing to Oregon in the first round.

Under first-year head coach Billy Napier, the Dukes are 6-0 in the current season. Napier took the James Madison job one year after being fired at the University of Florida. The university has also employed recent coaches now at major programmes: Curt Cignetti, now at Indiana, and Bob Chesney, now at UCLA, are both undefeated in 2026.

JMU Board of Visitors Rector Dave Rexrode said 'The American Conference is the right home for James Madison University', adding 'I have never been more excited about the future of this university'. The Sun Belt Conference released a statement saying it would 'examine and evaluate all opportunities' to ensure its continued growth.

How it is being reported

• James Madison leaving Sun Belt Conference, joining AmericanJames Madison University’s stay in the Sun Belt Conference is a short one.WSAZ · 12 Oct, 15:26
• James Madison leaving Sun Belt Conference, joining AmericanJames Madison University’s stay in the Sun Belt Conference is a short one.WVVA · 12 Oct, 15:26

In this story: James Madison University · American Conference · Sun Belt Conference · Billy Napier · Dave Rexrode · Curt Cignetti · Bob Chesney

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